41-31653 King Bee

B-26B-15-MA 41-31653 "King Bee" [KX:M]was assigned to the 353BG/558BS at Chipping Onger, UK. The aircraft was despatched on 31-Aug-43 along with 35 others to bomb the German airfield at Lille/Vendeville, France. The aircraft was struck by anti-aircaft fire and crashed at the target. It was the only loss on this mission. 5KIA 1POW 11 other aircraft were damaged.



P 1LT Ernest L. Anderson (KIA); CP 2LT Louis C. Stevenson (KIA)

B/N 2LT Earl T. Miller (KIA); RG TSGT William B. Powers, Jr. (KIA)

E/G SSGT Robert I. Abell (KIA; G SSGT Harry C. Seth (POW)

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
  • Role/Job: Engineer / Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-731784
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator / Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11086882
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13088049
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Lille, France 31 August 1943 Shot down by anti-aircraft fire while attacking the German airfield at Lille/Vendeville, France

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 28-May-2015. Added Description and FTR event detail based on "The Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop * John A. Hery MBE; made connections to Unit/Squadron, Place and Mission within existing website data; added crew position, rank, full proper name and disposition per MACR 471; formatted crew display.

Date
ContributorTanks
Changes
Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 471 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database